Chetan Raghavan, 14, placed first in the non-wetsuit category of the annual Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim. He came in second overall out of over 700 swimmers.
Swimming
Posted inCommunity
Supervised swims in the bay are popular and safe — just don’t stare at Homer the seal
Attendance at a local company’s chaperoned Sunday swim from the Berkeley Marina has quadrupled since 2018. And while Homer might chase you, he probably won’t bite.
Posted inSchools
Chemical imbalance at Berkeley High pool causes health concerns
People connected to the pool reported cases of hair loss and eye irritation this week. The school says chemical levels are back to normal.
Posted inCrime & Safety, Nature
Toxic algae force closure of Lake Anza to swimmers
Lake Anza South Swim Beach photographed Aug. 29. Photo: Hal MacLean The East Bay Regional Park District has closed Lake Anza to swimming due to high levels of toxic algae. The decision was made after tests showed the toxin Microcystin had reached dangerous levels, and the news came before the official swim season ends next […]
Posted inCommunity, Nature
After rains, some East Bay lakes now free of toxic algae
Lake Anza is expected to re-open for swimming in April, now that the algae is gone. Photo: Josh S. Jackson Recent rains have cleared toxic algae from several East Bay lakes, including Tilden’s Lake Anza, East Bay Regional Park District officials have announced. That means, unless the algae returns, some popular swimming spots will re-open come […]
Posted inCommunity, Nature
Lake Anza closed to swimming due to toxic algae
Toxic algae can be highly visible, or not visible at all. In the photo above, algae can be seen at Lake Anza on Sept. 17. Photo: Sunshine Townsend/East Bay Regional Park District The East Bay Regional Park District has just closed Lake Anza, in Tilden Regional Park, to swimming due to high levels of toxic […]